Catch for windows, doors, and the like



Sept. 28 1926-. I 150L049 I... c. THORNE CATCH FOR WINDOWS, DOORS, AND THE LIKE Filed April 1925 labwznaz G, T/ZOTIZZ Patented Sept. 28, I926.

LAWRENCE C. THORNE, 0F STERLING, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNQR TO FRANTZ MANUFACTUR- terate rarest" caries.

ING CO., OF STERLING, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

CATCH FOR wrnnows'nooas, AND THE LIKE.

Application filed April 8, 1225. Serial No. 21,454.

This invention relates to catch devices or holding devices for window screens, storm windows or the like, or for any swinging or movable structure or member.

Generally stated, the object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind having a handle which forms the movable element of the latch or catch device by which the window screen or storm window, or other member or structure, is held in the desired position.

It is also an object to provide certain details and features of'construction and combinations tending to increase the general efliciency and the desirability of a latching device or catch device of this particular character.

To the foregoing and other useful ends, the invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth and claimed, and shown in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is-a front elevation of a window and window screen having the combined handle and latching device embodying the principles of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section on line 22 in Fig. 1, on a larger scale, with certain portions of the window structure shown broken away for convenience of illustration.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one of the separable hangers or hinge-like devices by which the upper end of the screen or storm window, or other member, is de'tachably supported.

V Fig. i is an enlarged perspective View showing the said combined handle and latching device.

As thus illustrated, the window frame 1 may be of any suitable known or approved character, and the window screen 2 may be of any ordinary 'or suitable construction. As shown, the window screen is provided at its upper end with fiat hooks 3, and the upper portion of the window frame is provided with supports 4 having projections 5 to engage the two hooks, so that the window screen may be swung outwardly, and may be easily lifted off the two supports 4 when such is necessary or desirable.

The lower end of the window screen is provided, preferably on the inside thereof, with a handle 6 which is pivoted at one end at 7, and which has its other end 8 arranged to move up and down in the guide 9, which limited by the formation of the guide 9, in

which the end portion 8 of the handle is movable. A strike piece 11 is suitably fastened to the upper surface of the window sill 12, and is provided with ratchet teeth 13, as shown. The lower edge of the handle 6, as the screen is pulled inwardly at its lower end, will engage the teeth 13, and will slide over these teeth until the screen is firmly in closed position, and the handle will then'drop down back of one of said teeth to latch the screen in closed position. Thus the exact position of the strike piece 11 is not of great importance, for a little variation in its position, either toward the screen or in the opposite direction, will not make any particular difierence, inasmuch as the handle 6 will always find a tooth disposed in proper position to tightly hold the screen in closed position.

In this way the handle 6 is advantageously made a part of the latching device by which the screen or other member is held in position. In opening the screen or other member, it is only necessary to grasp the handle 6 and raise it slightly, and to then push outwardly. But in closing the screen or other member, thehandle 6 takes care of itself, so to speak, inasmuch as it is only necessary to pull inwardly until the screen is tightly in closed position, and the handle will then of its own accord drop down hehind one of the teeth 13 of the strike piece, which is rigidly secured to the window sill.

WVithout disclaiming anything, and without prejudice to any novelty disclosed, what I claim as my invention is:

1. In a latching device for holding a movable member in position relatively to a stationary member, the combination of a handle movably mounted at its opposite ends on the movable member, movable relatively thereto in a plane parallel therewith, formed and disposed in position to be grasped by the hand to move said member, and means on the stationary member to engage said handle, between the mounting at one end of the handle and the mounting at the other end, whereby said handle serves also as a part of the latching device.

2. A structure as specified in claim 1, said handle being pivoted at one end thereof, so that the other end of the handle is movable up and down, and a guide for the movable end of the handle, limiting the up and down movement thereof.

3. A structure as specified in claim 1, said handle comprising a grasping portion the lower edge of which is adapted and disposed in position to engage said engaging means on said stationary member.

4. A structure as specified in claim 1, said engaging means comprising a strike piece having aplurality of ratchet teeth over which the lower edge of said handle is adapted to slide until a tooth is found in position to hold the movable member in fully closed position, so that exact positionin" of the strike piece is not required.

a. A structure as specified in claim 1, said movable member comprising a window screen or storm window mounted at its upper end to swing outwardly at its lower end, said handle being pivoted at one end thereof on the lower portion of the window screen or storm window, inside thereof, said stationary member being the window sill, and means engaging the other end of the handle to limit the up and down movement thereof, the lower edge of said handle being engageable with said engaging means on the window sill to hold the window screen or storm window in closed position.

Specification signed this 31st day of March 1925.

LAXVRENCE C. THORNE. 

